Page 49 of The Bells of Triumph
“My lady,” a voice echoed down the hall.
She was so desperate for someone to save her that she had taken to imagining the voice. She even thought she heard the sound of a key sliding into the lock, turning it to open the door.
“My lady,” the voice called again just as the door shifted against her frame.
“Is someone there?” she questioned, picking up her head, though trying not to get her hopes up.
“It is Hamish, my lady. Please, let me in.”
Caitria scrambled to get off the floor as fast as she was able. This time, as she yanked on the doorknob, the entire door came flying into the room, leaving a startled Hamish standing on the other side. She furiously wiped at her face, hoping to hide any traces of her tears.
“Why were ye on the floor? What is going on?” the older man asked as he hurried into her room. “Never mind that now.”
Shooing her away from the doorway, he peered out into the hallway before shutting and locking the door. He motioned for her to stay quiet and then led her to the farthest corner of the room.
“What is all this about, Hamish?” she questioned, her mind racing.
“It is yer father, my lady. Campbell has killed him. Yer brother is also dead. Campbell has claimed our clan as hisown. He has sieged the castle and demanded we all pledge our allegiance to him.”
While she was shocked at the news, she didn't bother feigning grief over the loss of her family. They had never been particularly kind to her, treating her more like a used rag to throw away rather than a daughter or sister. Her father had been a cruel man, taking his anger for the world out on her. If she allowed herself a moment of honesty, she would find that she was relieved they were gone. But that didn't explain Hamish's panicked state.
“What do ye mean Campbell has sieged the castle?”
“I mean just that—he waltzed in with his army and took over the place. It will nae be long before he comes looking for ye. Ye cannae be here when he does.”
Caitria blinked in surprise as she struggled to take in everything the faithful servant was saying.
“Why? Why would he come looking for me?”
“He wants to ensure that nay one can lay claim to the clan. Ye are the last MacKenzie in this castle. He will nae leave ye alive.”
Hamish then raced to her wardrobe and pulled out her cloak along with an extra dress, her pair of boots, and some thicker stockings than the ones she was currently wearing.
“Here, take these. Ye will need them on yer journey.”
He foisted the clothes at her before turning back to the wardrobe and rummaging through it. While his back was turned, Caitria looked at the pile of things in her hands and then back at the servant.
“Where will I go? What will I do?”
Tears threatened to escape her eyes once more, but she fought down the feeling as quickly as it rose.
“Ye will go to Seamus.” Hamish finally turned back around, this time with a leather satchel in his hands. “He is the only one who can help us now.”
Caitria felt paralyzed as Hamish continued to work, stuffing her extra clothes in the bag.
“Ye have heard the destruction and havoc Campbell has had on the Murray lands. He will do the same to us. I doubt it will take him verra long at all to bring us all to ruin. He must be stopped before it is too late.”
“But why must I go to Seamus?”
Her voice shook, but it was not fear of Campbell or even fear of the journey ahead of her that caused it. Rather, she was terrified at the prospect of seeing her son again. It was the thing she wanted most in the world, yet now that she had the chance, she found herself unable to move towards it.
“He has an army of men who are willing to stand against Campbell. And the lad is one hell of a fighter, if he was able to take Campbell's leg. He can help us. Ye must go to him and tell him what has happened. Ye must convince him to save us.”
Hamish's conviction stirred something in her. For the first time in ages, she felt as though she had a purpose. There was something she could do to help, something she could do beyond withering away in her rooms.
“I will need my boots,” she told the servant by way of answering.
Moving with haste, Caitria laced up her shoes while Hamish checked the hallway.
